2025-26 FA Cup: First Round – Bromley vs Bristol Rovers

Bromley host Bristol Rovers in a stand-out all EFL tie in the first round of 2025-26 FA Cup. 

Bromley are looking to advance past this stage for a second consecutive season, whilst Bristol Rovers seek to reach the second round for a seventh consecutive season.

 

Team News

Bromley have no fresh injury concerns to report after their comeback 2-1 win against MK Dons last weekend.

Carl Jenkinson remains absent as he continues to rebuild his fitness following a lengthy hip injury.

Bristol Rovers will be without Alfie Kilgour due to a knee injury.

Ryan Howley, Jack Sparkes, Macauley Southam-Hales, Joel Senior, Clinton Mola, Taylor Moore and Brad Young are unlikely to feature due to unspecified injury concerns.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bromley host Bristol Rovers at Copperjax Stadium on Saturday 1 November at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Bromley are yet to beat Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup (D1, L1).
• Bristol Rovers won 1-0 in their only previous FA Cup visit to Bromley in a replay in November 2019, coincidentally at this same stage after the pair played out a 1-1 draw at the Memorial Stadium.
• Bromley are yet to beat a top-four division club in the FA Cup.
• Bristol Rovers have failed to score in their last two FA Cup ties excluding penalties (D1, L1), as they drew 0-0 at Barnsley in second round then lost 3-0 at Ipswich in third round last season.

 

Prediction

After their early conceded goal against MK Dons, Bromley could of again imploded defensively but they instead dug in and managed to snatch a late comeback which will give them confidence coming into this clash – especially given that they’re yet to lose at home in 90 minutes this season.

Bristol Rovers meanwhile have an injury crisis especially within their defence which has been evident in four conceded goals in their last three league games, during which they scored just once so a huge defensive performance is needed if want to quieten the likes of Michael Cheek and Ben Thompson.

Bromley however have home advantage and with this being the first cup tie played with the East Stand back open again, I expect them to end their EFL opposition curse in this competition as it feels like a huge ask for Bristol Rovers to get a result given their defensive issues.

Prediction: Bromley 2-0 Bristol Rovers

Result: Bromley 1-2 Bristol Rovers